Electric connecter



Nov. 27, 1934.

F. C. KOLLATH ELECTRIC CONNECTER Filed May 26, 1932 w m 4 w; 1 0 J5 ml lfl a E 1 J Wh 6 mi 1 Zn .0 r 2w 0. a r 1M Ma m m m I Z fi a 5 a Patented Nov. 27, 1934 UNITED STATES memo comc'mn Francis 0. Kollath, Chicago, n1., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Cutler-Hammer, Inc., Milwaukee, Wla, a corporation of Delaware Application May 26, 1932, Serial No. 613,640

8 Claims.

This invention relates to electric connecters, and particularly to electric connecters having a body or casing made of soft flexible rubber-like material. The primary object of the invention is to provide contact prongs removably supported in a soft flexible resilient rubber-like casing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a soft flexible rubber-like casing having contact prongs extending therefrom, the contact prongs having upper and lower shoulders for engagement with upper and lower surfaces respectively of projections or portions formed integral with the casing.

A further object is to provide contact prongs for electrical connecters having shoulders for engagement with the outer surfaces of a flexible casing and a pocket formed in the casing for the reception of the inner ends of the contact prongs, the prongs being provided with shoulders for engagement with a part of the casing whereby the prongs may be removably positioned in the casing by pulling outwardly on the prongs, the prongs being inserted in position by pushing inwardly on the prongs, there being holes provided in a part of the casing to receive the stem of the contact screw.

Still another object of the invention is to provide contact prongs removably positioned on a soft flexible rubber-like casing by means of screws threadedly engaging the soft rubber casing, there being holes provided in the casing to receive the contact screws which threadedly engage an extension on the contact prongs.

Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent throughout the progress of the following specification.

' The accompanying drawing illustrates certain selected embodiments of the invention and the views therein are as follows:

Fig. 1 is a detail sectional view of one form of the improved plug on the line 1--1 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fi l.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the plug shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view of another form of electric plug showing solid rubber bosses formed integrally with and extending inwardly from the inner surface of the casing to assist in defining the central opening or passage through which the electric conductors pass and to provide for attachment of the combined contact jack and wiring terminal members. 7

Fig. 5 is a view at right angles to Fig. 4,wlth

a part of the boss broken away to show the form of the recess.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of a plug having a solid core formed integrally with the casing and completely surrounding the central opening or conductor' passage.

Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of one form of connecter plug.-

Figs. 8 to 12 inclusive show various modifications as to how the lower ends of the contact prongs may be formed.

Fig. 13 is a detail sectional view of another form of plug on the line 13--13 of Fig. 14 showing the contact prongs each removably held in position by a screw threadedly engaging the soft rubber casing.

Fig. 14 is a top plan view of the plug shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a modified form of contact prong.

Referring to the drawing, 1 designates a plug casing made of soft, flexible, resilient, rubberlike material. Oppositely disposed flanges 2 and 3 are integrally formed with the casing 1 and extend inwardly from the inner side walls. The

flanges 2 and 3 are provided with small openings or slots 4 to receive the lower ends 5 of contact prongs 6, 6. Inasmuch as the contact prongs 6, 6 are exactly alike in shape, appearance, and construction, only one prong will be described.

The contact prong 6 has an outer end 7 for making electric contact with a cooperating receptacle as is usual in the art. bent over to provide a flat straight portion 8 forming a lower shoulder 9 which contacts and engages with the upper surface 10 of each flange. The part or lower extension 5 of each contact prong 6 is bent at 11 from the outer edge 12 of the flat portion 8. The flat portion 8 has an extension or ear 13 which has a threaded opening 14 provided therein to receive the contact member or screw 15 for electrically connecting the contact wires (not shown) to the prongs. A head 16 is integrally formed with the connecter 6, being arranged in the lower end of the part 5 as clearly shown in Fig. 7. The head .16 is so formed as to provide engaging or contacting means or shoulders 17 which bear against and engage the under lower surface 18 of a flange. The extension or ear has a tip 19 bent up therefrom to receive the end of the connecter wire as is usual in this form of plug Holes 20 are formed in the upper flanges to receive the screws 15, the screws loosely engaging the holes, merely being recessed therein because it is not necessary that the screws assist in lock- The prong is r ing the prongs to the casing. However, the engagement of the screws 15 with the holes 20 assists in preventing lateral or twisting movement of the prongs. Inasmuch as the contact prongs are flat, twisting movement of the prongs is obviated.

In assembling the device, a prong 6 is positioned relative to the casing by forcing the head 16 and the end 5 through a flange until the lower surface or shoulder 9 of the prong will engage with the upper surface 10 of a flange. When so positioned, the head 16 will extend through the flange with the shoulder 17 engaging the underside 18 of a flange. The prong is positioned so that the inner side 21 of the prong will face the longitudinal opening 22 which extends centrally of the casing, this opening being for the reception of the conductor wires which lead to and make electrical contact with the prong. The prong is thus securely locked in position relative to the casing by the shoulders 9 and 1'? engaging the upper and lower surfaces respectively of the .heads 16 of the prongs.

flange. The second prong 6 is positioned in the same manner with its inner face 21 facing the inner face 21 of the first prong. The prongs are thus securely locked in position but may be removed by applying a sufficient pull on the outer ends of the prongs to pull the head 16 through the opening 4. The opening 4 is substantially the same size as the stem or lower portion 5 of the prong, but considerably less in size than the head 16, the resiliency and elasticity of the rubber surrounding the opening being sufficient to permit suchinsertion and withdrawal. The electric connecters extend through the central opening or passage 22 and their ends are electrically connected to the projection or tail-piece 13 of the prongs by means of the screws 15 in the usual manner.

In Figs. 4 and 6, there is shown a slightly modified form of plug casing for securing the prongs.- In these views a solid portion 30 is formed integrally with the casing extending inwardly from the inner wall of the plug and completely surrounding the central conductor passage 22. In this latter embodiment pockets or recesses 31 are provided for the reception of the The openings or slots 4 communicate with the recesses or compartments 31 to receive the stem or lower portion 5 of the prongs. Thus, in the same manner described relative to Figs. 1 to 3, the plugs shown in Figs. 4 and 6 are capable of having the contact prongs removably locked in position by the shoulder 9 engaging the upper surface 32 of the solid plug, and the shoulders 17 on the head 16 engaging the surface 33 in the wall defining the upper surface of the recess or compartment.

In Fig. 5, the casing 1 is shown as being provided with bosses 40. These bosses are provided with pockets or recesses 41 for the same purpose with pockets or recesses 41 for the same purpose for which the pockets 31 are provided. The only difference between this construction and that described relative to Figs. 1 to 3 is that the space underneath the flanges 2 and 3 is made solid. The form of plug shown in Fig. 5 differs from that shown in Figs. 4 to 6 in that bosses 40 extend inwardly instead of making the entire body portion inside of the casing solid. The heads 16 may be made of any shape desirable just so that upper contacting surfaces or shoulders 17 are provided. In Fig. 8 the head 16 is formed by bending the material over, while in Figs. 9 and 10 the heads are solid, the one in Fig. 9 being either conical or pyramidal, while the oneshown in Fig. 10 is spherical. The heads shown in Figs. 11 and 12 have straight flat extensions providing shoulders similar to the shoulder 17 shown in Fig. 7. However, the lower ends of the heads are slightly different in shape, the one shown in Fig. 11 being in the form of a triangle or spear-shaped, while the lower surface of the head shown in Fig. 12 is made rounded. However, theparticular shape and configuration of thehead is immaterial just so that it is capable of providinga bearing surface at its upper end for contacting engagement with apart of the plug.

The plugs shown in Figs. 13 and 14 comprise a body which is made of soft, flexible, resilient material, such as rubber, and is provided with shoulders 51 to receive the contact prongs 52. The contact prongs 52 have legs 53 which engage the upper outer surfaces of the shoulders 51. The shoulders 51 may be made in the form of flanges such as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, or they may be made by making the body 54 solid as shown in Fig. 6, or they may be made by providing bosses as described relative to Figs. 4 and 5. The contact prongs 52 are provided with openings through which screws 55 extend. The screws 55 threadedly engage the soft rubber and removably fix the prongs to the plug casing. The body or casing is also provided with a central passage 22 through which the electric conductors extend for the purpose of making electric contact with the prongs. A tail-piece 56 is integral with each prong and'is provided with an opening threadedly receiving the contact screws 57. The shoulders also have holes 58 provided therein to receive the stems of the screws 57.

The contact prong shown in Fig. 15 has its stem 5 made round, as indicated at 60, and has its upper end extending through an opening 61 provided in the flat portion 8 of the prong. The stem 62 of this prong is made less in diameter than the stem 5 so as to provide a lower shoulder 63 which engages the underside of the part 8, the upper end 64 adapted to be peened over the upper surface as indicated at 65.

The invention provides a soft, flexible, rubber casing provided withinward integral extensions to which electric contact prongs are removably positioned. The prongs are capable of being applied and removed almost instantly, but are rigidly maintained in position when fastened in the manner herein taught.

Changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages, and the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fairly fall withinthe scope of the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. An electric connecter comprising a soft flexible rubber-like casing, inwardly extending members integral with the casing and having upper and lower surfaces, said members having slots therein, contact prongs removably positioned in said slots, and'integral extensions on said prongs engagingthe upper and lower surfaces of the members to hold the prongs on said members butpreventing accidental removal thereof.

2. An electric connecter comprising a soft flexible rubber-like outer casing, a solid inner core of like material integral with the casing and having pockets provided therein, said core also having slots therein communicating with the pockets, contact prongs insertable in the slots, heads on the lower ends of the prongs arranged in the pockets when the prongs extend into the slots a. predetermined distance, integral portions on the prongs and adapted for engagement with the outer exterior surface of the core, and shoulders on the heads engaging the material at the upper surfaces of the pockets.

3. An electric connecter comprising a soft flexible rubber-like outer casing, a solid inner core of like material integral with the casing and having pockets provided therein, said core also having slots therein ,communicating with the pockets, contact prongs insertable in the slots, heads on the lower ends of the prongs arranged in the pockets when the prongs extend into the slots a predetermined distance, shoulders on the heads engaging the material at the upper surfaces of the pockets, integral extensions on said prongs engaging the exterior surface of the core, contact screws threadedly engagingsaid extensions, said core having openings therein to receive the ends of said screws, and said core having a central passage therein to receive an electric conductor.

4. An electric connecter comprising a soft flexible rubber-like casing, said casing having a cord passage extending therethrough, said casing having portions formed integrally therewith and extending inwardly from the peripheral wall thereof to assist in defining said cord passage, said portions having surfaces forming shoulders spaced from each other and from each end of said casing, said portions having passages formed therein and opening to the respective shoulders, a plurality of combined contact jack and wiring terminal members having prongs insertable into said last mentioned passages, and said prongs having spaced shoulders formed 'integrally therewith and adapted to engage the respective shoulders first mentioned to retain said prongs in assembled relation to said casing.

5. An electric connecter comprising a one-piece molded body composed of relatively soft and flexible rubber, said body being molded free from inserts of any kind and the same being recessed from one end thereof to provide a flat seat, said body having a central opening formed therein and communicating with said seat to provide a cord passage, a one-piece combined contact jack and wiring terminal member the wiring terminal portion of which is adapted to rest fiatwise against said seat, and an element associated with said wiring terminal portion, said element being removably insertable into the rubber of said body and having an interlocking connection with the latter to thereby normally maintain said contact jack and wiring terminal member in assembled relation to said rubber body.

6. An electric connecter comprising a onepiece molded body composed of relatively soft and flexible rubber, said body being molded free from inserts of any kind and the same being recessed from one end thereof to provide a flat seat, said body having a central opening formed therein and communicating with said seat to provide a cord passage, a one-piece combined contact jack and wiring terminal member the wiring terminal portion of which is adapted to rest flatwise against said seat, an element associated with said wiring terminal portion, said element being removably insertable into the rubber of said body and having an interlocking connection with the latter to thereby normally maintain said contact jack and wiring terminal member in assembled relation to said rubber body, said wiring terminal portion having a tapped opening formed therein, a binding screw the shank of which is adapted to cooperatively engage the walls of said tapped opening, and said rubber body having a recess formed therein and registering with said tapped opening to accommodate said screwshank.

'7. An attachment plug cap comprising a domeshaped one-piece molded body composed of relatively soft and flexible rubber, said body being molded free from inserts of any kindand the same being provided with a central opening to provide a cord passage, said body being formed with an annular ledge offset inwardly from the enlarged end thereof to provide a flat seat surrounding said cord passage, a pair of one-piece combined contact jack and wiring terminal members, the wiring terminal portions of said members being adapted to rest fiatwise against said annular seat on opposite sides of said cord passage, each of said Wiring terminal portions having a tapped opening formed therein, a pair of binding screws the shanks of which respectively engage the walls of said tapped openings, said body having recesses opening to said fiat seat to accommodate said screw shanks, and means for removably attaching said wiring terminal portions to said seat, said means comprising elements associated with said wiring terminal portions and adapted to be driven into the rubber of said body, said elements having shoulders formed thereon to positively engage the adjacent portions of said-rubber body whereby said combined contact jack and wiring terminal members are normally retained in position.

8. In an electric plug the combination of an integral preformed body of soft flexible material, a passage formed in said body leading from a face thereof and a recess of greater cross section than said passage opening into said passage, said recess being otherwise closed, a contact prong, an arm including an enlarged portion integral with said prong, said enlarged portion forming a shoulder with said arm on one side of said portion and being shaped on the other side thereof to facilitate nosing through said passage in one direction to bring said enlarged portion to position in said recess with said prong extending in the opposite direction from said face, said enlarged portion and said recess being so relatively proportioned that due to the flexibility of said body said shoulder is held in abutting relation with a wall of said recess.

FRANCIS C. KOLLATH. 

